Nursing Assistant; Long Term Care

Position: Nursing Assistant (Long Term Care)
Nursing Assistants function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.

Duties will vary by grade. At the GS-5 full performance level, The NA may perform these duties in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient, inpatient, home or community living care, acute, sub-acute. The NA will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions. Duties will include:

* The NA will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions.

* The NA ensures the Veteran / resident is wearing the correct identification bracelet.

* The NA performs, and can mentor other NAs, in activities of daily living (ADL) by helping Veterans in their physical functioning, to include personal hygiene (bathing), eating, assisting Veterans in and out of bed/wheelchairs using proper lifting techniques and safe patient handling equipment.

* NA demonstrates the need for minimal supervision and proficient skill in promoting independence in daily living activities by following the Veteran's Restorative Plan of Care. The NA's performance demonstrates the Veteran is taught and encouraged to give as much of their self-care as is possible, while respecting the Veteran's preferences.

* The NA independently follows the Restorative Plan of Care and performs range of motion exercises, turning and positioning, ambulation and other routine care procedures to complete all restorative exercises in the Plan of Care.

* The NA performs and can mentor other NAs in a variety of general nursing duties competently including measurement and accurate recording of vital signs, height, weight, intake and output, smoking safety per Veteran's smoking assessment, cleansing and retention enemas, tube feeding, post- mortem care, infection control, isolation, simple treatments such as hot and cold packs, changing clean dressings, and applying external catheters.

* The NA performs, under the supervision of a RN, and when assigned, catheter care, oral
-pharyngeal suctioning and tracheostomy suctioning and tracheostomies that are non- complicated and at least five days old.

* The NA uses aseptic technique and changes clean dressings.

* The NA maintains and monitors oxygen therapy as directed by the RN, assignment or written care plan, to include management and operation of oxygen tanks. The NA performs assistive cough and deep breathing exercises.

* The NA applies binders, splints, supportive devices, braces, and other simple devices to aid Veterans in positioning for therapy, applies hot and cold packs, prepares patients for tests, examinations, and treatments.

* The NA collects specimens such as urine, specimen and stool, correctly labels specimens for laboratory examinations and assures timely transportation of specimens.

* The NA applies ointments, shampoos, and creams considered medications under the Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP Policy) and mentors fellow NAs in performing medication administration per policy.

* The NA reviews the Veteran's /resident's treatment plan and follows the plan in performing resident care. The NA updates the plan of care in the resident's room to remain current with IDT and/ or Nursing Care Plan in the medical record, and reports / verifies changes and discrepancies to the charge nurse.

* The NA participates in CLC activity and actions to improve the quality of care for residents/Veterans to include fall intervention and prevention of pressure sores. The NA independently implements the Veteran's / resident's specific plan of care to prevent falls with injury and pressure sores. The NA accepts quality improvement assignments of monitoring compliance when assigned.

* The NA participates in the nursing care conferences and interdisciplinary team meetings, using knowledge of the Veteran / resident and reports resident / Veteran problems, helps plan individualized care and discharge planning. They present interventions based on the organization's guidelines on fall prevention and pressure sore prevention to meet specific needs of the resident / Veteran for inclusion in the IDT plan of care.

* The NA cleans and maintains equipment independently or at the direction of the RN/LPN. The NA inspects devises and determines if the device is safe to use, or removes the device, notifies supervisor, and implements the process to have the device repaired.

* The NA assists with admission, discharge and transfer of patients. The NA orients the new resident/Veteran to the room and safety features. The NA checks in and documents resident / Veteran valuables.

* The NA safely and timely escorts Veterans to and from the CLC for appointments and recreational therapy.

Work Schedule:

6:00am-2:30pm, rotating weekends off.

Telework:
Not Available

Virtual:
This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment

Incentives:

Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS):
Not Authorized